Jim Culloty celebrated victory on Timbera in the 2003 Irish National

Timbera won the Powers Irish Grand National in a photo finish from Knock Knock at Fairyhouse.

It was another big race success for Jim Culloty who won the Aintree National on Bindaree in 2002 and was on 2002 and 2003 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate.

Tony McCoy finished third in his first ride in the Irish National on the 9-1 shot Winning Dream.

The 2001 winner Davids Lad, who was ruled out of the Grand National because of suspension, was fourth, having spent most of the race at the back of the field.

Seventeen of the 21 starters made it home.

The fancied Ross Moff, the mount of Mick Fitzgerald, came down at the sixth along with Native Jack.

Last year's winner, The Bunny Boiler, and Mystic Lord were both withdrawn on the morning of the race.

Good feeling

Timbera was a faller in last year's race but jockey Culloty had a good feeling about the nine-year-old before the off.

"When I walked into the paddock he looked a million dollars and I thought he would run well," said the Kerryman.

"Dessie told me to take my time but I broke reasonably well at the start and he was half running away with me.

"But I had a bit in reserve and it worked like a dream. He responded well when I asked him."

Winning trainer Dessie Hughes said: "We were afraid of the ground but that little drop of rain just took the sting out of it for him."

He added that Timbera, who earns his connections �74,000 by winning, is now likely to be aimed at next year's Grand National at Liverpool.

Irish Grand National (3m 5f)